Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-01-20
DAKOTA LEGISLATURE.
Proceedings Of the Council and of the House Of
Representatives.
THE coUscm

Proceedings o. the Council and Of the House 81
Representatives.
THE COUNCIL.
assembled at IL O'Clock, and was cslied TO
order by Chief Clerk Howard, or the last
council After prayer by Rev Benham, as
sociate Justice Francis administered the
oath of Office to the members, and nomlna-
tions for president of the council were az
once called for. Sheldon OF Day nominated
George A. Matthews Cain nominated Frank
J. washabaugh On call OF the roll; MAI
thews received Is votes and Washabaugb
10 Matthew's voted for Washabaugh, and
the latter for Mr.. Foster. ommittee was
appointed and conducted Mr. Matthews to
the chair. He made speech of thanks for
the honor conferred.
He came to the duties of the Office, he said,
with iifidence because he brought no legis-
Iatiye experience. He trusted In the courtesy OF
the members to assist him, and did not expect
70 be appointed. The people OF tine territory
were asking relief from the burdens OF taxatian,
and a grand opportunity was presented 10 the
present legislature.
His remarks were plainly delivered and
well received. The oath of office having
been administered to the president. organl-
cation was completed by electing the fol-
lowing-ali unanimously-by roll call:
X. III. A
sistant clerk, Robert t. Wsliow jamestown:
enrolling clerk, G. w. Starting, A6erde n en-
crossing clerk, o. A soqthmayd, Bnrielgl
county: sergeant at-arms, W. b. Troy, Wahpe-
ton: chaplain, Rsv Ben Ham, Bismarck: door
keeper, NJ. W. Spalding, Grand Forks
A committee consisting of Foster. Dono-
van and Campbell was appointed to an
nounce to the governor that the council was
organized and ready to receive q communi-
cation from him Temporarily the rules OF
order Of the last session were adopted as the
rules of the present The officers-elect o.
the council were sworn in by the president
The presigent appointed s. 8. Hillman OF
Valley City assistant sergeant-at-a and
James Little and Henry Newton pages The
drawing of seats was then proceeded with.
DR. Collins of Grand Forks being permitted
first choice by courtesy. Adjourned TO IL m.
Wednesday.
THE HOUSE
was called to order at lilo by J. g. Hamil-
ton, assistant chief clerk Of the former
house. Members were sworn in by Asso-
ciate Justice Francis After the roll call
Stewart of Fall River moved to proceed TO
the election of speaker. Carried Stewart
nominated George C. Crosse Of Hyde county.
Adams nominated E. b. Williams of Bur
leigh Ruggles nominated John Hobart OF
Moody Green nominated John Ely of
RoIette-a Democrat The nomination of
Crosse was seconded by Bogart and Pruitt
Tellers were appointed On motion the first
ballot was made informal, and on call roll
resulted as follows:
Crosse ...............21tEl Ely.
Williams. lBogart.. D
Mr. Stewart of Fall River moved to pro-
coed to a formal ballot Seconded Sulli-
van moved to adjourn to IL tomorrow.
Stewart made the point that a motion to adj
journ was out of order when motion was
pending Clerk Hamilton overruled the
point of order call of the roll was de-
manded, and the vote resulted-aYes, 20;
nays. "a. [Applausel Stewart renewed his
motion to ballot Green moved to take a
recess till 8 o'clock Lost The motion to
ballot then prevailed, ami on call Of the roll
resulted as follows:
Crosse .25l Ely. ..............
Williams. ...........13 81 Hobart ........... 5
Mr.. Hamilton
Mr.. Crosse having received a majority Of all
the votes cast. is declared speaker OF the house
Of representatives Of the Seventeenth legisla-
ture.
Messrs Aiken and Dodd were appointed
committee to conduct the speaker TO the
chair, on taking which he admitted extreme
office. which he said he had not sought. but
would endeayor to fill to the best of his abil-
ity, and with perfect fairness to all sections
and interests He spoke without hesitation
and with gtraightforwardness and earn
estness, which won him hearty applause.
The house then adjourned to tomorrow
noon
President Matthews assumed the chair as
presiding officer and called the Joint con-
Rention To order Williams of Burleigh
moved the appointment of a committee Of
i've to wait on the governor and inform him
that the two houses were assembled in Joint
session and ready to receive any communi-
cation he might have co make The chair
appointed as such committee Williams, Nc
Cumber, Aikens, Grigsby and Dody. The
committee shortly returned, accompanying
Gov. Pierce, Judge Church and the territorial
officers Gov. Pierce occupied chair to the
right of the presiding officer, with Judge
Church on his right, the territorial officers
ranging themselves ON both sides of the
speakers platform President Matthews
said:
Gentlemen Of the Council and General ASSEM-
bly, of the Territory of Dakota: 1t gives me
great pleasure to present to you his excellency,
Gov. Gilbert A. Pierce
Gov. Pierce then stepped to the front and
delivered his message The delivery occu-
pied about three-fourths of an hour He
closed by introducing Judge Church as his
successor, and referred to him in fiattering
terms.
THE NEW GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Judge Church spoke at first with slight
hesitancy, but this quickly wore away, and
his manner became easy, graceful and earn
est Several times he was interrupted by
applause, ana the feeling of his audience, as
the speech progressed, was markedly one of
sympathy with the spirit of his utterances
He said
Governor, Mr.. President. Gentlemen Of the
Council and House Of Representatives: 1t
would be appropriate for me to say at this time
that no one realizes more than the duties that
are about to deyolve upon me: there is no one
that realizes the responsibility that may be in
Cured. In the future questions will neces-
sarily arise which will cause you and
but 1 trust we will always be found to agree
when the interests of our great territory are at
stake. desire to say that 1t would be exceed
tngly indicate on my part to attempt to define
the political situation; but say to you, gentle
men, IN all earnestness, in all fairness that to
the best OF my ability, so help me God.
VIII do my full duty to all the people of Da-
kota- There are great many important ques-
tons which Will arise during this legislative ses-
sion, and trust that all enactments which. may
w piaOSu vi the sbhtule DOCKS Will De
such as will reflect credit upon you and
Your constituents, and will likewise reflect credit
upon the executive OF the territory. At all times
and on all occasions 1t shall be my desire to act
In harmony for the benefit of the whole terri
tory. desire to be governor of Da-
kota, representing no faction, no cliques
welded TO no section or portion
OF the territory, but that 1t is my duty to the
fullest extent to hold the balance between the
sections of the territory in justice rectitude and
fairness. / do not desire to say anything
lengthy npon this occasion, but there will I'M
doubtedly be times when / may
have occasion to communicate with YOU
There is no one who more fully appreciates the
retiring gentleman than do myself and only
trust that when my duties as executive shall
close Will carry with me the record, esteem and
good wishes OF the chief executive OF the United
States, which know my predecessor viii carry
with him into private life I thank Won for
your attention and trust. considering the deli
caoy OF the occasion, that you will excuse me
from making any further remarks.
The following bills were introduced in the
council:
Regulating grain warehouses and inspection.
weighing and handling grain and defining the
duties OF the railroad and warehouse commits
sion IN relation thereto; providing for the taxa
ton OF persons, e partnership, associations car
loanfng companies, sleeping car companies cor
porations and fast freight lines engaged In NOV
Ing cars over any Of the railroads in the terri
tory ana not being exclusively the property of
company paying taxes on gross receipts; by Mr.
Collins. creating board of railroad and ware
mousse commissioners and for the regulation of
common carriers THE provisions of which ap-
peared In the PIONEER PRESS some weeks ago. !;
creating the Office OF public examiner aud defin-
ing his duties